What Have You Done For You Lately?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008Posted in: Happiness is a fab waistline, random rambling
Since my birthday, when TTG awesomely bought me a personal trainer as a prezzie (I had asked for a treadmill, butย the trainer is way easier on the eyes) I’ve been trying to live a healthier life.
Over the Christmas period, I’d put on a few pounds, and I have to say, I’m not overly comfortable with excess pounds on my body. So in March, I decided that enough was enough, and with the help of a few well-timed gifts from TTG, (including my very cute pink NIKE rucksack, and matching water bottle) I decided to start my journey towards A, a thinner waistline, and B, a more healthier way of living.
I was always a sporty person, but I found that because I hadn’t been regularly for such a long time, the gym was kicking my ass. The only bit I was enjoying was the 30 lengths in the swimming pool that my regime demanded, but I kept on with it.
Anyway, three months and many lost pounds later, my body is smokin’ hot again, if I may say so myself. *g*
I put myself on a clothing ration whilst my arse, and my waistline was growing, because I didn’t want to get comfortable with the excess weight. I didn’t allow myself to buy any designer gear (OK I cheated once or twice, but that’s all) so Next, and Marks and Spencers, and Wallis became my by best friends. Seriously, Marks and Spencers clothes have improved by leaps and bounds. For you Brits out there, check out the Autograph range.
Anyway, on Saturday, TTG and I attended a gala/charity event, (I bid on a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt which had all the players signatures on it, but the bidding went up to ยฃ2500 ($5k) and as much as I love United, there was no way I was parting with that kind of money) and for the first time in ages, I was able to wear a dress that revealed some skin. TTG thought I looked hot, but more importantly, I thought I looked hot, and a good night was had by all.
It seems like such a small victory I know, but I’d gotten into so many bad habits, like skipping breakfast, then eating late at night (Sometimes my real life is ridiculously hectic) that having the discipline to stick to the healthier regime, even though my daytime life hasn’t changed one iota, seems like a huge achievement to me.
Anyway, what’s been your greatest personal achievement this year?
Shanna
June 18
9:56 pm
Congrats, starting an exercise program is easy but sticking with it is the hard part. Good for you!
I was really excited to finally start my own business this year, Hide-a-Book, making book covers. I just got my Etsy shop up and had my first sale this month. That was pretty cool.
Dev
June 18
10:16 pm
I’ve last 75 pounds since January 9 of last year. That’s my biggest accomplishment. Probably ever.
willaful
June 18
10:18 pm
I’ve lost over 90 pounds in the last year and have started riding my bike regularly instead of driving.
sula
June 18
10:21 pm
woot! Count me in on the weight-loss celebrations. I dropped 70 over the course of last year and am about six months into maintaining that loss. It feels fantastic.
Now I think what I really need to do for me is invest more time in stuff like yoga and pilates because even though i whine and complain about getting active, I always feel much more focused and zen-like when i practice them on a regular basis. a goal for this year perhaps.
December Quinn/Stacia Kane
June 18
10:50 pm
I’ve lost almost 30 pounds since September–I took a few months “off” and just maintained in that time, but still. I’m pretty proud of myself.
Eve Vaughn
June 18
11:00 pm
Karen who are you kidding? When I saw you last year you were already gorgeous. You must be a stick figure now if you’ve lost a lot of weight. But it’s always feels good go down to the next dress size. I got to do that recently. *sqeee* Fortunately for me, I like to eat a lot of melon and berries in the summer so hopefully I won’t gain this weight back. To celebrate me and the hubby had a romantic weekend out of town just because.
๐
Lynne
June 18
11:44 pm
Congrats to everyone on the fitness progress. ๐ I started swimming 5-7 days a week over a month ago, and I’m ecstatically happy with how things are going. I hadn’t done any swimming at all for over a decade, so I’d completely forgotten how much fun it is and how good it makes me feel.
Shiloh Walker
June 19
12:58 am
I’ve lost 30 lbs since November. Working out regularly. And I discovered I have a waist. If I can lose a little more, I might have one of them nifty hourglass figures. ๐
Plus, I feel a lot better physically than I have in a long time.
Sarah Frantz
June 19
1:23 am
I started losing in August 2006. Despite a (successful) pregnancy, I’ve lost 35 lbs and kept it off (so far). I went from a size 14-pushing-16 to a size 8-pushing-6, which astounds me. So that’s pretty cool. Congrats, Karen and everyone else! It feels great, doesn’t it?
Sara Reinke
June 19
2:22 am
The only thing smokin’ hot on my body is the fat on my inner thighs as it rubs together when I walk, generating friction. ๐
Seriously, congrats to all of you for your weight loss success. I’ve been sitting here debating between the treadmill in my corner, collecting cobwebs, or the tub of rainbow sherbet in my freezer calling my name, and reading all of your success stories has given that ol’ treadmill a definite advantage.
Thanx!
GrowlyCub
June 19
2:28 am
I’m starting to hate all of you, grin. I gained 5 pounds over the winter and I need to drop about 25 pounds all told. Unlike Sara, I’m not feeling inspired to do something about it, just envious, he he.
Tuscan Capo
June 19
2:28 am
Congratulations Karen!
I made an honorable woman of the love of my life! But other than that I’m still eating butter, swearing around my friends, drinking wine & whiskey chasers and reading Romances. Guess I’m doomed..or extremely happy – one or the other. Sometimes I do wish I could put ON a few pounds LOL
TracyS
June 19
2:32 am
Since April I’ve lost almost 20 lbs. I was thin for so long that after the kids and the onset of PCOS (pain in the butt hormones not working right making me insulin resistant) my weight slowly crept up because I didn’t have a healthy eating lifestyle and I hate exercise! LOL
I finally hit a weight that made me say “hell no!” and I joined Weight Watchers. I don’t need the meetings at all, I just needed the “points” to figure out what was an acceptable amount of food to eat in a day. I was eating WAY MORE than I needed!
AAAAAnyway, as much as I love food, it’s a huge deal to me that I’ve stuck to eating right AND exercising (walking the neighborhood isn’t so bad with an audiobook to listen to!)
Keishon
June 19
2:58 am
Karen, CONGRATS TO YOU. Good job ๐
Alas, I have nothing to report. Maybe next year.
Take care.
Dawn
June 19
9:15 am
Congratulations, K!
Having gone up to 11 stone (154 pounds – I’m shuddering while I write that), and wearing a size 16, I joined Slimming World in January and have lost 10 lbs. Not a lot, yet, but I’m really pleased that I’ve lost that much. And that’s even though I’m having difficulty focussing on the plan. My downfall is cake.
My goal is to get down to 126 lbs but even if I only get to 133 lbs, I’ll still be thrilled.
A. Lurker
June 19
11:22 am
My biggest achievement this year was getting a divorce from my psychotic husband. I should have left him years ago, he was such violent asshole. I’ve got my two kids, and we know we’re going to be just fine.
To all the victims of domestic violence out there, get out, and get out now. If only for the sake of your children. He may say otherwise, but he will never change.
I hadn’t realized how much much of ‘me’ I lost during my years with him, but I’m working on getting the person I used to be back, and it feels wonderful.
Dawn
June 19
11:45 am
A big congratulations to you, Lurker.
Ghetto Diva
June 19
12:49 pm
I would love a gym membership-absolutely love it. But with two small kids running around, and possibly more family coming to stay indefinitely, I don’t think I’d have the time. But hey, my birthday is next week, I could drop the hubby a hint.
Congrats on the weight loss, Karen.
Shiloh Walker
June 19
1:59 pm
All the weight loss is fantastic, but this one….
Deserves a round of applause. Glad you had the courage and the determination to do it, A. Lurker. ๐
dalia
June 19
2:31 pm
Congrats to all the losers out there. I’m hoping to become a big loser myself. Last night was my first session with a personal trainer. Maybe in 6 months I can hijack an unrelated thread or resurrect this one with happy loser news
Dee Tenorio
June 19
4:05 pm
I got my writing back. I’d love to lose weight–I’m ten pounds away from feeling sexy and another ten pounds from being smokin’ hot, lol, but I can’t tell you how amazing it felt to sit down and connect with that part of me again. My pregnancy being so rough and then taking care of the girls and going back to work was so consuming, it was like pulling teeth to get a single word out. Once it started to flow this year, siiiiigh… Suddenly all the pieces started coming together again. I might even get my ass back up on the bike again!
Congrats all on your excellent weight loss and to Lurker, esp. I got a sister who finally got rid of her asshole guy. For the time being, anyway. Abusers are a lot like pounds, you really gotta want to keep them off you to make them leave for good. I’m so glad you’re holding your own and I hope you continue to make strides!
Dee
TracyS
June 19
4:09 pm
Agreeing with Shiloh. A. Lurker deserves a big round of applause! I’m so glad you were able to get out of that relationship.
Jennifer B
June 19
4:56 pm
Congrats My Friend!!!!!!!!!!!! Ditto here as far as biggest achievements go. Over 75 pounds over 2 1/2 years, the bulk of which has stayed gone well over a year. And you’re right, it’s cool when others say you look hot–even BETTER when you think you look hot. LOL Brings out the hidden sexpot in you, eh?
Angelia Sparrow
June 20
2:16 am
Congrats on the weight loss. I haven’t lost any, but I’ve gotten a few comments that thought I had (amazing what 3 hrs a day of hard physical labor does for one’s butt)
But, I’m physically stronger than I was this time last year. I can move the fifty-pound hoods and 200 lb transmissions with less effort.
I’ve finished writing a novel and two novellas and several short stories.
I managed to get all four kids to pass last school year (something in doubt in January)
All of those rate about equal. I haven’t done anything really amazing so far this year.
sallahdog
June 20
2:43 pm
I am working on being healthier, which usually means not sitting my ass in front of this computer, but my main “accomplishment” me for this year is recognizing that I have ADD and losing the pride about taking ritelin…
I managed without drugs for most of my life by having my regime being very narrow, but now with 2 kids (who have lives of their own, but need Mom to facilitate that life), 2 different businesses, and a Mother who has moved in because she can no longer afford or physically manage her own home, I had to realize that I needed help. Or to chuck it all and move into a shack in the forest somewhere.
Its not the answer for everyone, but it literally saved my sanity.
Rosie
June 23
7:38 am
I’ve lost 30 lbs since January. But I’m most proud of passing my one year anniversary this month of swimming 3 times a week. It’s something I love and haven’t done for ages and it just makes me feel good.